The world God imagines (website only)
The lion and bear, like the cattle will graze
This is the world God imagines
When wolf lies with lamb we will all be amazed
This is the world God imagines
CHORUS:
No hurt or destruction in this holy place
Where justice and peace are flowing free
The earth will be full of the knowledge of God
This is the world God imagines
A garden creation, we’ll tend it with care
Work for the world God imagines
Its harvest of plenty with all we will share
Work for the world God imagines
CHORUS:
No hurt or destruction in this holy place
Where justice and peace are flowing free
The earth will be full of the knowledge of God
Work for the world God imagines
A heavenly city, its courts filled with praise
Sing for the world God imagines
Surrounding the Lamb grateful voices we’ll raise
Sing for the world God imagines
CHORUS:
No hurt or destruction in this holy place
Where justice and peace are flowing free
The earth will be full of the knowledge of God
Sing for the world God imagines
The Spirit of God lives among us today
To bring the world God imagines
While Jesus walks with us to guide all our ways
To bring the world God imagines
CHORUS:
No hurt or destruction in this holy place
Where justice and peace are flowing free
The earth will be full of the knowledge of God
This is the world God imagines
This is the world God imagines
This is the world God imagines.
Words and music: © 2022 David Kai
Full score downloadable as a PDF
Lead sheet downloadable as a PDF (with guitar chords and vocal harmonies)
More about this hymn, including video, at https://sites.google.com/view/musicbydavidwkai/home/the-world-god-imagines
More information
This is a hymn that touches on much contemporary experience by articulating an alternative vision of a profoundly "peaceable kingdom" (pictured above by Edward Hicks), with a particular emphasis on care for creation. David draws especially on visions articulated by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 11: 6-9) and in the Book of Revelation (especially chapter 5). David also notes references to Amos 5: 24 ("Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream"), the creation story in Genesis 2, and Matthew 28: 20. Additionally, one StF Reference Group member perceived allusions to the second letter of Peter, chapter 1.
"The world God imagines" was inspired by the theme of the 2022 meeting of the Hymn Society in the USA and Canada.
David’s setting (which can be listened to at https://youtu.be/kv18nVo1iEo is lyrical, has some interesting (but not too tricky) rhythms, and has an upbeat, joyful mood appropriate to the words.
David Kai
David is a composer, songwriter and arranger who grew up in Toronto. His work reflects his own background as a Sansei (a third generation Canadian of Japanese descent), and his eclectic musical training and experience. Influences in his music include Japanese melodies sung and picked out on the piano by his grandmother, big-band music beloved by his parents, Beatles tunes, classical piano lessons, and later, jazz studies.
David was commissioned as a diaconal minister in 1987, and has served in pastoral charges in Birtle, Manitoba, Orleans and Ajax, Ontario. He has written hymn tunes and arrangements in collaboration with authors and composers such as Ruth Duck, Pat Mayberry and Brian Wren. He was a member of the committee that produced the Voices United hymn book, and also provided music for the Bible Quest curriculum and the More Voices hymn supplement. With his spouse Marly Bown, David lives near Grand Bend, Ontario.
David’s hymns We are a rainbow and Fear not, for I am with you are also published on StF+. Explore some of David’s other compositions at https://sites.google.com/view/musicbydavidwkai